Psalm 119:1–24

The Word of God

119Happy are those who live pure lives,

who follow the Lord’s teachings.

²Happy are those who keep his rules,

who try to obey him with their whole heart.

³They don’t do what is wrong;

they follow his ways.

⁴Lord, you gave your orders

to be obeyed completely.

⁵I wish I were more loyal

in obeying your demands.

⁶Then I would not be ashamed

when I study your commands.

⁷When I learned that your laws are fair,

I praised you with an honest heart.

⁸I will obey your demands,

so please don’t ever leave me.

⁹How can a young person live a pure life?

By obeying your word.

¹⁰With all my heart I try to obey you.

Don’t let me break your commands.

¹¹I have taken your words to heart

so I would not sin against you.

¹²Lord, you should be praised.

Teach me your demands.

¹³My lips will tell about

all the laws you have spoken.

¹⁴I enjoy living by your rules

as people enjoy great riches.

¹⁵I think about your orders

and study your ways.

¹⁶I enjoy obeying your demands,

and I will not forget your word.

¹⁷Do good to me, your servant, so I can live,

so I can obey your word.

¹⁸Open my eyes to see

the miracles in your teachings.

¹⁹I am a stranger on earth.

Do not hide your commands from me.

²⁰I wear myself out with desire

for your laws all the time.

²¹You scold proud people;

those who ignore your commands are cursed.

²²Don’t let me be insulted and hated

because I keep your rules.

²³Even if princes speak against me,

I, your servant, will think about your demands.

²⁴Your rules give me pleasure;

they give me good advice.